How much does it really cost to run a heater, airer, air fryer or tumble dryer? Choose an appliance, or type in any wattage, then set how long you use it. The calculator shows the cost per hour, day, month and year, and the kWh used, at current UK prices. Change the unit rate to match your own bill.
Appliance running cost calculator
– · Default price: Ofgem price cap average, 1 Oct–31 Dec 2026. Check your bill for your exact unit rate.
How to work out running costs yourself
Cost = watts ÷ 1,000 × hours × price per kWh
- Find the wattage on the appliance's label or in the manual (for example 2,000 W).
- Divide by 1,000 to get kilowatts (2,000 W = 2 kW).
- Multiply by the hours you use it to get kWh (2 kW × 3 hours = 6 kWh).
- Multiply by your unit rate from your bill (6 kWh × 26p = £1.56).
Watts to kWh
| Appliance power | kWh used in 1 hour | kWh used in 3 hours |
|---|---|---|
| 100 W (TV) | 0.1 kWh | 0.3 kWh |
| 220 W (heated airer) | 0.22 kWh | 0.66 kWh |
| 1,500 W (air fryer) | 1.5 kWh | 4.5 kWh |
| 2,000 W (fan heater) | 2 kWh | 6 kWh |
| 3,000 W (kettle, immersion) | 3 kWh | 9 kWh |
What common appliances cost to run
At 26p per kWh, running at full power:
| Appliance | Typical power | Cost per hour |
|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi router | 10 W | 0.3p |
| Electric blanket | 60 W | 1.6p |
| TV (55" LED) | 100 W | 2.6p |
| Compressor dehumidifier | 200 W | 5.2p |
| Heated airer | 220 W | 5.7p |
| Heat pump tumble dryer | 800 W | 21p |
| Air fryer | 1,500 W | 39p |
| Fan heater | 2,000 W | 52p |
| Electric oven | 2,500 W | 65p |
| Kettle | 3,000 W | 78p |
| Electric shower | 9,500 W | £2.47 |
Appliances with thermostats (oil-filled radiators, fridges, dehumidifiers, ovens) switch on and off as they run, so their real cost is often well below the full-power figure. Kettles and showers run at full power but only for minutes at a time.
FAQs
How do I calculate the running cost of an appliance?
Divide the wattage by 1,000, multiply by the hours used, then multiply by your price per kWh. A 2,000 W heater for 3 hours at 26p per kWh costs £1.56.
How much is 1 kWh of electricity in the UK?
It depends on your tariff and the current Ofgem price cap, typically in the mid-20s pence per kWh on a standard variable tariff. Check your bill for your exact unit rate.
How many kWh does a 2 kW heater use per hour?
2 kWh. At 26p per kWh that's 52p an hour.
What uses the most electricity in a home?
Anything that makes heat: electric showers, kettles, ovens, tumble dryers, immersion heaters and electric heaters.